As the Empress and her entourage made their way down the Dnieper River, the governor had his men erect a fake village and dress up as peasants. As soon as the procession was out of sight, the village would be disassembled, hastily transported down the river before the Empress could arrive, and then reassembled.

The Empress and her group saw dozens of healthy, productive villages, populated by industrious peasants who looked remarkably alike.

Centuries later she is back in suit and tie, disguised as a US Senator.